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Monday 10 Aug 2015 - 12:40 Makkah mean time-25-10-1436
(Image from Anadolu)
Incirlik, Turkey (IINA) - The United States of America sent six F-16 jets and about 300 personnel to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey on Sunday, the U.S. military said, after Ankara agreed last month to allow American planes to launch air strikes against Daesh militants from there, according to media reports.
The Pentagon said in a statement that the "small detachment" is from the 31st Fighter Wing based at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Support equipment was also sent but no details were provided.
"The United States and Turkey, as members of the 60-plus nation coalition, are committed to the fight against ISIL in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region," the command said.
Turkish officials also told Anadolu Agency that the contingent included a C-5 transport plane plus a KC-135 refueling aircraft.
The ability to fly manned bombing raids out of Incirlik, a major base used by both U.S. and Turkish forces, against targets in nearby Syria could be a big advantage. Such flights have had to fly mainly from the Gulf.
Last month, Turkey agreed to allow U.S.-led coalition forces to launch airstrikes against Daesh positions from Incirlik, which is located close to Turkey’s border with war-torn Syria.
SM/IINA
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